2025 RECIPIENTS
MUSIC TEACHERS OF THE YEAR​​​​
​​​​Lonna Schickert
Band Director
North Middle School
School District of Menomonee Falls
Lonna Schickert has received her bachelor’s degree in music education from UW Oshkosh and her master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University, Illinois. She has been a Middle School Band Director in the Menomonee Falls School District since 1996. Prior to that she was a High School Band Director in the Wauwatosa School District, East Troy School District and West Bend High School.
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Mrs. Schickert co-directs the Sixth Grade Band with an emphasis on the brass, directs the Seventh Grade Band and assists with the Eighth Grade Band. She also is the Director for the North Middle School Jazz Ensemble.
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She received the Superintendent’s Child Advocacy Award from the Menomonee Falls School District in 2004 and 2009 and in 2019 earned the Employee of Distinction Award. Mrs. Schickert has also held leadership positions as the Music Department Manager and Curriculum Chair. She has served as a mentor to music educators in the district.
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Through the years, she has been involved in professional organizations such as National Association for Music Education, Wisconsin Youth Band Directors Association, Wisconsin School Music Association and International Association of Jazz Educators. ​In addition, she has performed with the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band and St. Gabriel Church.
​Trinny Schumann
Choir Director
Nicolet Union High School
Nicolet Unified School District​​
Trinny Schumann is a music educator and performer that brings nearly three decades of experience in music education, direction, and performance across Wisconsin. After earning a B.A. in Music with concentrations in Vocal Performance and Music Education from Carthage College in 1995, she continued her academic journey at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, earning a master’s degree in music education.
Ms. Schumann's teaching career spans the full spectrum of music education, from Pre-K to college level. Since 2018, Trinny has served as the Choir Director at Nicolet Union High School in Glendale, where she continues to inspire young vocalists. She is the advisor of Nicolet's chapter of Tri-M Music Honor's Society. Ms. Schumann is also the Music Director at North Shore Congregational Church in Fox Point.
Ms. Schumann's dedication to advancing music education extends into academic research and professional development. She has presented at numerous conferences, including international venues such as the International Society for Music Education in Bologna, Italy. Ms. Schumann has shared her expertise at major conferences across the United States, from Texas to California, demonstrating her commitment to advancing music education methodology.
A key aspect of Ms. Schumann's work is her ability to bring music to diverse audiences and bridge generational divides. She founded the North Shore Catholic Music Festival at Dominican High School and later established the North Shore Vocal Arts Day at Nicolet High School, both providing young musicians with valuable performance opportunities. It is a priority for Ms. Schumann to lead outreach programs, bringing music to skilled nursing facilities and retirement communities, enriching residents' lives while offering students the chance to engage with diverse audiences. Her work fosters artistic growth in young performers and brings joy to people of all ages, leaving a lasting impact on both the music community and the broader public.
As an active member of the Wisconsin Music Educators Association, Ms. Schumann remains connected to the broader music education community, continuing to influence and shape the future of music education in Wisconsin. Ms. Schumann's career exemplifies the perfect blend of performer, educator, and community leader, demonstrating how music can transform lives across all age groups and settings.
​Eric Rian
Principal
Academy of Accelerated Learning
Milwaukee Public Schools
EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR​​​​
Eric Rian began his career in 1995 and has served the Milwaukee Public Schools as a teacher and administrator for 30 years. After several years in the classroom, Mr. Rian transitioned into school leadership and in 2011 became the principal at the Academy of Accelerated Learning, the same school he attended as an elementary student growing up in Milwaukee.
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Mr. Rian inherited a thriving general music program at AAL and has worked to promote and support it over the past 14 years. Under his leadership and through financially challenging times, the school’s music program has continued to be a key part of AAL. Students are offered equitable opportunities to explore their musical talents, develop skills, and build confidence. He is proud that AAL is a Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Arts in Community Education partner school. The addition of string and piano lessons during the school day provides another component of a comprehensive music program. He is grateful to work alongside the talented educators who share his commitment to music.
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Music has always been an important part of Mr. Rian’s life. He and his wife, Patti, met in band class at Milwaukee Hamilton High School where he played horn, and she played clarinet. They have two children who both play the trumpet. Their daughter Kaitlyn is the band director at Ronald Reagan High School in the Milwaukee Public Schools.
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​​​Emma Milton
Choir Director
Kettle Moraine Middle School, Dousman, WI
Kettle Moraine School for Arts and Performance, Wales, WI
EMERGING MUSIC EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR​​​​
Emma Milton is in her 3rd year of teaching. She currently directs the 6th through 8th grade choirs at Kettle Moraine Middle School. She also teaches interdisciplinary seminars and mentors theatre focus students at the Kettle Moraine School for Arts and Performance. This is her second year in the Kettle Moraine School District. Prior to her current position, she taught in the School District of Mishicot.
Ms. Milton holds a Bachelor of Music from Lawrence University. While in university she was an active performer in productions such as The Marriage of Figaro (Susanna) and Burke & Hare (Madge Docherty) as well as an accomplished music education student–guest writing for Wisconsin School Musician and earning the Paul C. Hollinger Award in Music History. Ms. Milton has been a member of WCDA, WMEA, and NAfME. She currently sings in the Chant Claire Chamber Choir. Outside of school, Ms. Milton enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her fiancé, Conner.
CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC INSTRUCTION​
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Andy Pforr
Band Director
Lincoln, Wilson/WStem and Washington Elementary Schools
Wauwatosa School District
Andy Pforr has been a fixture of the Elementary Band Program in the Wauwatosa School District for 30 years, recruiting and inspiring thousands of students to begin a band instrument.
Mr. Pforr enjoys guiding these young beginning students from the earliest interactions of trying different instruments, fitting each student with the best instrument, learning how to hold and play their instruments, and how to read music.
Beyond student recruitment and band program leadership at multiple schools, highlights of Mr. Pforr’s hard work are evident in key districtwide initiatives. He was instrumental in the development and ongoing success of the Wauwatosa School District’s “Beginning Band Blastoff” summer band program. For 15 years the program has given beginning band students a jumpstart on their band instruments before the school year begins. Mr. Pforr was also instrumental in the development of the annual Elementary Band Festival. This celebration of the entire school district’s beginning band students’ hard work and progress is a culminating performance in one gigantic band of more than 250 beginning band students.
The love Mr. Pforr has for music is also woven throughout his personal life. While his primary instrument is trumpet, he has sung with the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, played in local rock bands, has played in the pit for community theater, teaches private lessons, records and mixes music, and commits much of his personal time to singing, arranging, and playing various instruments with his church.
Music and education were key influences in Mr. Pforr’s upbringing. His father, now a retired MPS band director, his mother a retired third grade teacher and his sister an orchestra teacher in Menomonee Falls, are all active musicians in the community. Mr. Pforr graduated from Carroll College (University) with a bachelor’s degree in music education. While Mr. Pforr has worked at nearly every elementary school in Wauwatosa, he currently teaches at Lincoln, Wilson/WSTEM and Washington Elementary Schools.
CHORAL MUSIC INSTRUCTION​
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Sarah Milton
Choir Director
Muskego Lakes Middle School
Muskego-Norway School District
CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE
Sarah Milton teaches choir and general music, chamber choir, after school a cappella ensembles, and the annual musical at Muskego Lakes Middle School. She fosters a culture of belonging for all students and has a passion for developing confidence through music literacy. Ms. Milton works to provide unique experiences for her students, including composer collaboration, performing in the “Beyond the Notes” Festival, and performing at the WCDA conference. Ms. Milton holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from UW-Oshkosh and remains a member of Wisconsin Choral Directors Association. She shares this joy of music with students, friends, and family, and has the pleasure of seeing it become an essential part of her community. Outside of school, Ms. Milton enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters while singing, playing piano duets, playing cards, and playing with her dog.
GENERAL MUSIC INSTRUCTION​​​
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Cassie Wilson
General Music Teacher
Thorson Elementary School
Cedarburg School District
CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE
Cassie Wilson started her musical journey of taking piano lessons when she was in first grade. She wanted to play just like her mom! Cassie continued to study piano through college and still loves playing, especially accompanying, to this day. In her early education, Cassie played clarinet in concert band, percussion in marching band (Germantown Wall of Sound), and was in the choir. Cassie started her college career at UW-Green Bay and later transferred to UW-Milwaukee where she studied education, voice, and piano. She graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a bachelor of arts in music education with certifications in choral and general music.
Cassie Wilson has been teaching elementary general music since 2007. She is in her 18th year in the Cedarburg School district where she has had the privilege of teaching at each of the district elementary schools at some point in her career. Cassie happily took over the music teacher role at Thorson Elementary in 2021 where she currently teaches over 400 children in kindergarten through fifth grade plus runs an extra-curricular choir. Cassie strives to bring the love and appreciation of music to each of her students.
Cassie’s other love is musical theater. She has been involved with the Falls Patio Players (Menomonee Falls) since 2004. She has been FPP’s youth music director for 14 years of summer camps and 8 seasons of full youth productions. Her theater students inspire her so much! When not music directing, Cassie loves the opportunity to be on the stage as an actress.
Cassie is married to her husband Jeremy, and they have two kids, Landen and Hallie, who both play clarinet. Cassie loves watching Landen in her alma mater high school marching band and doing theater shows with Hallie. When not being musical, the Wilson family can be found riding roller coasters, going to the theater, or taking trips together.
STUDIO MUSIC INSTRUCTION
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Clare Malinowski
Songbird Studio, Hartland
CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE
Clare Malinowski is a dedicated music educator, conductor, and performer with expertise in choral leadership and music education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Choral and General Music Education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and a master’s degree in music education and Choral Conducting from the University of Colorado-Boulder. Throughout her career, Clare has directed choirs at middle school and high school levels, served as Artistic Director for Bella Voce, a treble choir in Rochester, Minnesota, and worked with community and college choirs. As a performer, she has sung with the Madison and Milwaukee Symphony Choirs and currently sings regularly with The Madison Choral Project, a professional ensemble based in Madison, WI.
In 2023, Clare launched Songbird Studio, teaching voice and piano to students of all ages, fostering a lifelong love of music. Passionate about building vibrant musical communities, she looks forward to many years of inspiring musicianship.